Mag wheel stripping........

Mad Kiwi · Post by **Mad Kiwi** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 11:00 pm

Hi Guys

Anyone know of a good, inexpensive method of bead blasting or stripping mag wheels in the Auckand area. Mine are flaking the clear and are a bit shabby looking.

I am happy to spray paint the centres and polish the rims but need the old paint off first.....

Mark.

Euen · Post by **Euen** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 11:08 pm

Have a chat to the guys at Arrow Wheels out in Kelston. They should be able to help you out.

Skilfil · Post by **Skilfil** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 11:10 pm

+1 for Arrow Wheels, they do really good work.

WideOpenThrottle · Post by **WideOpenThrottle** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 8:00 am

A heat-gun {might] do the trick!

Skilfil · Post by **Skilfil** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 9:05 am

I'd be cautious about applying a heat gun to wheels? I'm not sure what temperature it takes to compromise a wheels structural integrity.

Growler · Post by **Growler** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 1:15 pm

Skilfil wrote:I'd be cautious about applying a heat gun to wheels? I'm not sure what temperature it takes to compromise a wheels structural integrity.

Aluminium starts to melt at around 720 degrees C. I don't think a heat gun could get that high!
Here are some wheels I had dipped, sanded and repainted. I think they came out alright!

sprsta · Post by **sprsta** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 1:42 pm

we paint wheels at work all the time

usually it works out cheaper to buy a new set of wheels

biff · Post by **biff** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 3:21 pm

They look great!
Brand new even

Biff
ZOOM1N
Red 90

-----Original Message-----
From: Growler [mailto:cornering@mx5forum.co.nz]
Sent: Thursday, 3 November 2011 1:16 p.m.
To: cornering@mx5forum.co.nz
Subject: [MX5Suspn] Re: Mag wheel stripping........

Skilfil wrote:

I'd be cautious about applying a heat gun to wheels? I'm not sure what

temperature it takes to compromise a wheels structural integrity.

Aluminium starts to melt at around 720 degrees C. I don't think a heat gun
could get that high!
Here are some wheels I had dipped, sanded and repainted. I think they came
out alright!

Attachments:
http://www.mx5forum.co.nz//files/wheels_128.jpg

[Posted via external email]

WideOpenThrottle · Post by **WideOpenThrottle** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 3:41 pm

You only apply enough heat to bubble the surface layer of paint not to smelt them!

Skilfil · Post by **Skilfil** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 7:02 pm

Well thats me schooled, thought I might be horribly wrong.

Mad Kiwi · Post by **Mad Kiwi** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 10:51 pm

Yeah I priced up getting them redone by wheel people a few months ago but it wasn't worth it as sprsta says.

However, spray painting is no problem for me (I have the gear and enjoy doing it), but stripping them by hand is just not on the cards. I did one NSR250 wheel a couple of years ago and it was such a painfull experience I didn't get round to the next wheel for another year and ended up getting it sand blasted!

Dipping is another option, any recommendations and ball park price?

Cheers

Mark

sprsta · Post by **sprsta** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 6:43 am

if you want to sand blast them try Autoblast,
Dave, there, is very helpful
09 4436574 or 021328435

Euen · Post by **Euen** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 12:24 pm

Too much heat on the wheel could impact on the strength of the wheel by upsetting the heat treatment applied during manufacture. Following quote was from Keith Tanner in regard to re-powder-coating some 6ULs.

" as part of the T6 heat-treating process, these wheels are aged at 350F for about 18 hours. Powdercoating takes the wheels up to 400F for 30 minutes, which can "over-age" the alloy and make it more brittle. I've heard - first-hand - of a German NC owner that had the stock wheels powdercoated and they cracked on him. "

http://www.targamiata.com/diary.php?UID=908

m4vr1k · Post by **m4vr1k** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 11:27 am

What about Aluminium wheels? My Minilites are a bit rough, would sandblasting / dipping be an option for them?

SLYDIT · Post by **SLYDIT** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 5:02 pm

Hey Euen....

was that you i saw having a little moment at the targa?

hope the car isnt too bent..

Euen · Post by **Euen** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 8:58 pm

Bit off topic isn't it......':)'

Just a little one. Wiped off the front spoiler (again). Apart from that we had a great week. The car never missed a beat all week.

Unfortunately a couple of guys in a MX5 on the tour took their car swimming on the coast road heading south from Kawhia. Couldn't see it when we went past but sounds like it got quite a soaking.

Growler · Post by **Growler** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 1:14 pm

m4vr1k wrote:What about Aluminium wheels? My Minilites are a bit rough, would sandblasting / dipping be an option for them?

Both should be OK.
I reconditioned my 2-piece minilite wheels about 10 years ago and they are fine. I had the centres dipped then painted them a BMW Silver Metallic colour, and I had the outers re-anodised bright chrome.
Sandblasting should be OK but I would try and use a plastic bead. Sometimes the heavy metal bead can work the surface of the aluminium.